US President Joe Biden will arrive in New Delhi on 8 September. And on 10 September, he will leave. All the guests will reach Rajghat and this time President Droupadi Murmu will host all the guests at her residence. Large-scale tree planting is also being done at the venue.
Modi’s third term
The Modi government is so confident about its third term that key ministries have started early efforts to establish governance standards. Now, that’s some confidence.
The red diary
Rajasthan politics’ tale of the red diary has now spread across the country. Its political gains and losses have found their place but sales of red diaries have rapidly increased in several cities, including Jaipur. Those who are selling these diaries, or red-coloured account registers, are thrilled.
The scales of power
There’s restlessness in Uttar Pradesh’s bureaucracy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath does not desire officers who delay and obstruct work or those who make excuses. Experienced chief ministers in their second term dedicate their entire time to work in the field and their office. Consequently, feedback is also substantial for them. In recent days, based on the complaints received during public meetings, CM Adityanath has also conveyed a clear message.
Why is it necessary for the CM to personally attend to even minor issues? He also expressed concerns about the expenses incurred by those who visited him with their complaints. This is why there seems to be a shift in the balance of bureaucracy’s power from the fifth floor (Chief Minister’s Secretariat) to the Additional Principal Secretary’s (APC) office. It is the latter who possess authority over both local governance and industrial development.
Also read: UP CM Yogi Adityanath holds review meeting of development projects in Varanasi
The list
“I’m not on that list.” These days, most officers in Uttar Pradesh are ready with this response. That’s because, recently, the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on the premises of builders and businessmen in Uttar Pradesh. These raids indicated the involvement of several IAS officers. Now, it is rumoured that a list of such officers has reached the chief secretary’s office. The list supposedly contains the names of about two dozen officials. Some details have already leaked on social media. Suspicious and unsuspecting officers are clarifying that their names are not on the list. Although such rumours have circulated before, this time the officers seem more apprehensive.
Junking ayurveda
Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s knee was operated on recently. Initially, he had gone for Ayurvedic treatment. Some benefits were observed, but a complete recovery was not achieved. The minister even advised several acquaintances to seek Ayurvedic treatment for their knee issues, who were also facing difficulties. Now that he has resorted to allopathic treatment, he is calling his acquaintances to tell them not to waste time and to undergo the operation.
Vaishnaw’s date with the press
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is committed to his promises. He has pledged to interact with media representatives in an informal engagement every month. He is steadfast in upholding this commitment. However, the real challenge will arise after the announcement of elections in Madhya Pradesh. He holds the responsibility of being the party’s co-election in-charge for the state. Considering that, there is a possibility of some delay in fulfilling the monthly promise. If the railway ministry and the minister are ever delayed, it is deemed acceptable — some officials close to the minister hold this belief.
Also read: Nobody wants to join the BJP. Karnataka election result has badly hurt the party
India vs INDIA
A meeting of the Kerala unit of the Congress party was convened in Delhi. During the meeting, a warning was issued that no leader from the state will engage in public criticism against the Left Front until the completion of the Lok Sabha elections. In Kerala, the Congress aims to create a narrative that at the national level, the party is the alternative to BJP and Modi. However, Kerala’s leaders stated that while they welcome the India Alliance, they do not align with the Left. They believe that the need for an alliance exists at the national level, not in Kerala. At this point, a prominent leader from Kerala questioned, “Why should Kerala be different from India? Whether you profit or incur a loss, it shouldn’t harm INDIA.”
Bharat Agrawal is Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar.